Driving skill test game apparatus



Aug. 25, 1953 J. w. ZIMMERI DRIVING sxm TEST GAME APPARATUS Filed Aug. 4, 1950 3 Sheets-Shea; I

Aug. 25, 1953 J. w; ZIMMER DRIVING SKILL TEST GAME APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 4, 1950 Aug. 25, 1953 .1. w. ZIMMER DRIVING SKILL TEST GAME APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Aug. 4, 1950 Patented Aug. 25, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to driving skill test game apparatus, and more particularly to game apparatus for use in a game simulating on a model scale the aspects of driving skill contests such as are engaged in by truckers to determine their skill in driving trucks hauling truck-trailers.

The game to which this'invention pertains involves the use of steerable model trucks, having a steering gear for the front wheels, such as are disclosed, for example, in my copending application for Toy Truck, Serial No. 172,544, filed July 7, 1950, which issued June 23, 1953, as Patent 2,642,700, a game boardon which a model truck and truck-trailer coupled thereto are handmaneuvered in accordance with the rules of the game, and model barriers which are placed on the game board to introduce a requirement for considerable skill in maneuvering. The game is of considerable value from the educational standpoint, inasmuch as it is instructive in respect to the rudiments of maneuvering a truck and trucktrailer. For example, it drives home the point that if it is desired to turn a truck-trailer in one direction while backing up, it is necessary to turn the truck in the opposite direction.

The game board is the essential feature of the invention, this constituting a playing field on which a steerable model truck and one of several types of model truck-trailers coupled to the truck are hand-maneuvered. In general, the game board is characterized in having a plurality of different lines thereon each of which denotes a different and definitecourse over which a truck andtrailer are to be steered in taking a specified type of test. At least one of these course lines has one portion of its length designated in a different .mannerfrom another portion to indicate that the truck and trailerareto be moved forward on one portion and backed up on the other. Marked areas on the board designate positions for barriers. These areas correspond in outline to the outline of the bases of model barriers to be placed .thereon, j and are positioned relative to the course lines as to allow only limitedroomior maneuvering the truck and trailer without touching the barriers, when the barriersare properly placed on the board. Other features will be in part apparent and .in part pointed out hereinafter.

The inventionaccordingly comprises the elements and combinations of elements, features of construction, and arrangementsof parts which will be exemplified in the structures hereinafter described, and thescope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one 2 of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a foldable game board of this invention as spread out fiat;

Fig. 2 is an edge elevation showing the board as folded up;

Fig. 3 is a perspective of a model entrance and exit gate used on the board;

Fig. 4 is a perspective of one type of barrier used on the board;

Fig. 5 is a perspective of a second type of barrier used on the board;

Fig. 6 is a perspective of a third type of barrier used on the board; and

Fig. '7 is a perspective of the game of the present invention showing exemplary positioning of barriers, model truck, and model truck-trailers.

Figs. 3-6 are 'on a larger scale than Fig. 1.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 7, reference character I denotes a folding game board of this inventionconsisting of a plurality of hingedly connected panels 3 of such outline that when the board isspread out fiat it is of rectangular outline. The game board may be made of heavy cardboard or any other suitable material. Marked on the board at its right end, which is referred to as its starting end, are two areas S indicating the position for the bases of a model entrance and exit gate 5, the gate being shown in Fig. 3. As illustrated,'the gate consists of a pair of standards 1 having-bases 9 and a cross-panel I I spanning the standards adjacent their upper ends. Flags [3 are shown at the upper ends of the standards. The standards are spaced far enough apart and the cross-panel II is high enough to allow for passage of a truck and a truck-trailer 8 of the van type. As shown in Fig. 3, the bases of the gate are marked S to indicate that they are to be placed on areas S.

Marked-on the board is a line L-l denoting a course over which truck. 2 and truck-trailer 8 are to be. steeredin taking a first test whichI denoteContest 1, and which is so indicated on the board. The line L-l starts at a point marked A located adjacent the starting end of the board and centered with respect to the areas S. It has a portion L-la which proceeds straight forward for a short distance, .then curves toward what is the right side of the board as viewed from its starting'end, and then proceeds straight forward through a point B to a point C at the other end of the board. This portion L-Ia of line L-l is a solid line, to indicate that the truck 2 and trailer 8 are to be moved forward thereon, rather than backed up. Arrowheads on this portion of the line indicate the direction of movement.

The line L-l also includes a portion L-ib, indicated as a dotted line, which takes off from portion L-la a distance rearward of the point C about equal to the combined length of model truck 2 and truck-trailer 8, and which follows a serpentine course starting at a point D leading back to the portion L-|a near the starting point A. The portion Llb is a dotted line, as distinguished from the solid-line portion L-l a, to indicate that truck 2 and trailer 8 are to be backed up thereon, rather than being moved forward. Arrowheads on portion L-Ib indicate the direction of movement.

The line L-l also includes a third portion L-lc indicated as a solid line, which takes off from the initial part of portion Lla and follows a sepentine course passing through point E leading forward to the point C. The marking of portion L-lc as a solid line indicates that truck 2 and truck-trailer 8 are to be moved forward on this portion, the same as in the case of portion L-la. Arrowheads on portion L-lc indicate the direction of movement.

Marked on the board are four areas A-l denoting positions for model barriers l5, one of which is shown in Fig. 4. Each barrier I5 is simply a little cylinder, so as to resemble a drum or barrel, each being marked 1 to indicate that it is used in connection with Contest 1. The areas A-l are marked 1 to indicate that barriers l5 (also marked l) are to be placed thereon only for Contest 1. Each area A-l is circular, corresponding in outline to the outline of a barrier 15. The areas are located in such relation to the backing-up portion L-Ib and the forward-movement portion L-lc of line L-l as to allow only limited room for passage of truck 2 and truck-trailer 8 between the barriers when the latter are placed on the areas. It will be seen that lines L-Ib and L-lc zig-zag between areas A-l, intersecting one another midway between areas A-l Marked on the board is a second line L-2 denoting a second course over which truck 2 and truck-trailer 8 are to be steered in taking a second test which I denote Contest and which is so indicated on the board. The line L-2 starts at a point F at the other end of the board from its starting end and adjacent the left side of the board and proceeds for some distance in a straight course parallel to the side of the board and then in a serpentine course through point G to a straight course leading to point A. Line L-2 is a solid line, indicating truck 2 and trailer 8 are to be moved forward, rather than backed up, and has arrowheads thereon indicating the direction of movement.

Marked on the board are four areas A-2 denoting positions for model barriers l1, one of which is shown in Fig. 5. Each barrier l1 consists of model fence I9 having supporting base members 2| which extend rearward from the bottom of fence posts 23, diagonal braces being shown at 25. The areas A-2 may be marked 2 to indicate that barriers I! (which may also be marked .2) are placed thereon only for Contest 2. Each area A-2 corresponds in outline to the outline in plan of the base of a barrier IT. The areas are so located on oppositesides of the straight-line reaches of line L-2 that, with barriers I! placed thereon, two narrow passages are established between pairs of barriers through which truck 2 and trailer 8 must be steered, with little room on either side.

Marked on the board is a third line L-3 denoting a third course over which truck 2 and truck-trailer 8 are to be steered in taking a third test which I denote Contest 3, and which is so indicated on the board. This line has a solid line forward-movement portion L-3a starting at a point H midway between the side edges of the board and following a straight course parallel to the side edges to a point I, and a dotted line backing-up portion L-3b which curves from a point near H through a point K back to a point L adjacent the right side of the board. Point L is located between two marked areas T and U. Area U indicates a parking position for a model carry-all type trailer l2 and area T indicates a parking position for a model platform or stakesidetype trailer I0.

Between point L and the right side of the board is marked an area A-3 for a long barrier 21 shown in Fig. 6. The barrier 21 consists of a model fence 29 having supporting base members 3| which extend rearward from the bottom of fence posts 33, diagonal braces being shown at 35. The area A-3 may be marked 3 to indicate that barrier 21 (which may also be marked 3) is placed thereon for Contest 3. Between areas T and U and the right side of the board are areas A-2a denoting positions for two of the short fence barriers 11, during Contest 3.

Line L-S also has a solid line forward move ment portion L-3c which leads out of the space between areas T and U and follows a curved path through point M off toward the left end of the board to point C.

Marked on the board is a fourth line L-4 denoting a fourth course over which truck 2 and trailer 8 are to be steered in taking a fourth test which I denote Contest 4, and which is so indicated on the board. This line has an initial dotted-line backing-up portion L-4a which curves into a straight reach between two areas A-4 denoting positions for two of barriers I! during Contest 4, and ends at a point N at the left side of the board. The areas A-4 are so located that with barriers I! placed thereon, a narrow passage is established between the two barriers, just wide enough to accommodate trailer 8, with little room on either side. Line L-4 also has a solid-line forward-movement portion L db leading away from this passage through the point 0 and curved toward the point C.

One board I, a gate 5, four barriers 15, four barriers [1, one barrier 21, one steerable model truck 2 (having steerable front wheels 4 and a steering wheel 6), such as, for example, is shown in my aforesaid copending application, one model van trailer 8 simulating a commercial van, one model carry-all trailer [2 simulating a commercial carry-all trailer, and one model platform trailer 10 simulating a commercial platform trailer are needed to play the game. Play proceeds as follows:

The board is spread out flat on the floor or a large table allowing a truck and trailer coupled thereto to be maneuvered beyond the bounds of the board. The gate 5 is placed on the board in the position denoted by areas S.

Play begins with Contest 1. For this contest,

the four barriers l5 are placed-on the designated pointB until the front of the truck-2 is at point C, then backed up without stopping following dotted line L-lb, until the rear end of the trailer is moved into starting position at point F, and

then moved forward along line L-2 through the passagebetween the firstpair of barriers and then through the passage between the second pair of barriers, and then off the board through the gate 5, all without stopping. Again, the object is successfully to steer the truck and-trailer through the passages between the barriers without touching the barriers.

Upon completion of Contest 2,'two of the barriers H are placed on areas A-2a, and the long barrier-21 is. placed on area A-3 for Contest 3. If desired, barrier 21 could have been placed at A-3 prior to the start of play. The other two barriers I! may be placed on areas A-4 in preparation for the Contest 4, if desired, or simply placed aside. In Contest 3, the truck 2 with the flat-car trailer I is moved onto the board and this trailer is parked in area T. Then the truck 2 is deployed to pick up the carry-all trailer [2 and this is moved onto the board and parked in area T. Then the truck 2 is deployed to pick up the van trailer 8 and moved forward into position on line L-3a, with the front of the truck 2 at point I. Then, the van trailer 8 is backed up along line L-3b by backing up the truck 2 to park the trailer 8 parallel between the platform trailer Ill in area T and the carry-all trailer 12 in area U, closely adjacent the long barrier 21, without stopping. The object is to park the van trailer 8 without touching either of the other two parked trailers or the barrier 21. Then, the truck 2 and van trailer 8 are pulled out following the line L-3c, over point M and off the board at point C.

Contest 4 involves backing up along line L-4a without stopping to park trailer 8 in the passageway between the varriers I! on areas A4, with-- out touching the barriers, coming to a stop with the rear of the trailer 8 at point N, then pulling out forward over line L-4b over point 0 and off the board at point C.

In a physical embodiment of the game board, lines L-I, L-Z, L-3 and L-4 are preferably indicated in different colors, for example, line 11-. (including its solid and dotted line portions) may be black, line L-2 may be red, etc., so that the courses to be steered in playing the different contents may be more readily distinguished. The various barrier areas may be colored corresponding to the color of the line in connection with which the appropriate barriers are used. For example, areas A-l may be colored black in correspondence with the color of line L-l. It Will be understood that I have not attempted to indicate such use of color in Fig. 1 of the drawings to avoid complication of illustration.

The arrangement allowing for placement of a group of barriers on the board for any one test and their subsequent removal, so as not to interfere with manipulation of the truck and trailer in any other test, is advantageous in that it allows for the play of a'number of different contests on one-board of a reasonable size. In a physical embodiment of the game board, for use with a modeltruck 2 about seven inches long and three inches wide, a model van-type trailer 8 about seven and one-half inches long, two and three-quarter inches wide and four inches high, a model carry-all trailer I2 about seven and onehalf inches long and three inches wide, and a. model platform trailer [0 about ten inches long and three and one-quarter inches wide, I make the board sixty inches long and twenty inches wide. Barriers I5 are about seven-eighths inch in diameter 'and'one and one-half inches high. Barriers I! are about six and three-quarter inches long, and barrier 21 is about thirteen and one-half inches long. Areas A-l are spaced apart about eleven and one-half inches.

In View of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As many changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter containedin the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall 'be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. A game comprising a steerable model truck, a model truck-trailer hauled by said truck, a game board constituting a playing field, said board having a plurality of different lines thereon occupying the same general area each of which denotes a definite course over which the truck and trailer are to be steered in taking a specified type of test, at least one of said lines having one portion thereof designated in a different manner from another portion thereof to indicate that the truck and trailer are to be moved forward on one portion and backed up on the other, with arrowheads on each line to indicate direction of movement, model barriers, and marked areas on the board designating positions for placement of said barriers during different tests, said areas corresponding in outline to the outline of the base of model barriers to be placed thereon and being positioned relative to the course lines as to allow only limited room for maneuvering the truck and trailer without touching the barriers when the barriers are in place, the arrangement being such that a group of barriers may be set up for any one test and subsequently removed so as not to interfere with manipulation of the truck and trailer in another test.

2. A game comprising a steerable model truck, a model truck-trailer hauled by said truck, a game board constituting a playing field, said board having a first line thereon denoting a first course over which the truck and trailer are to be steered in taking a first test, said line having two curved portions one of which is designated in a different manner from the other to indicate that the truck and trailer are to be backed up on one portion and moved forward on the other, model drum-type barriers, marked areas on the board designating positions for placement of said barriers on opposite sides of said portions to limit room for maneuvering the truck and trailer in following the course denoted by said portions, a

barriers, and marked areas on the board designating positions for placement of said fence-type barriers on opposite sides of said second line defining a narrow passage through which the truck and trailer are to be maneuvered in taking the second test, the arrangement being such that barriers may be set up for one test and then removed so as not to interfere with manipulation of the truck and trailer in the other test.

3. A game comprising a steerable model truck, a model truck-trailer hauled by said truck, a game board constituting a playing field, said board having a. line thereon denoting a course over which the truck and trailer are to be steered in taking a test, said line having two serpentine portions one of which is designated in a different manner from the other to indicate that the truck and trailer are to be backed up on one portion and moved forward on the other, model drumtype barriers, and marked areas on the board designating positions for placement of said barriers on opposite sides of said portions to limit room for maneuvering the truck and trailer in following the course denoted by said portions, said portions intersecting one another between the areas.

4. A game comprising a steerable model truck.

a model truck-trailer hauled by said truck; a game board constituting a playing field, said board having a line thereon denoting a course over which the truck and trailer are to be steered in taking a test, two model fence-type barriers, and marked areas on the board designating positions for placement of said barriers on opposite sides of the line, the areas being so spaced that when the barriers are placed thereon only limited room is allowed for steering between the barriers.

JOSEF W. ZIMMER.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,254,380 Whitmore Jan. 22, 1918 1,394,008 Hargreaves Oct. 18, 1921 1,524,740 Lorenz Feb. 3, 1925 1,625,041 Marshall Apr. 19, 1927 1,652,851 Bendtin Dec. 13, 1927 1,973,900 Hylander Sept. 18, 1934 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 602,018 Great Britain Aug. 29, 1934 

